MLB Picks

For today's total play in the National League we head to Arizona where the Diamondbacks take on the Padres. We have two pitchers who consistently give up runs so I'm backing the over with my MLB picks.

OddsmakersMLB odds makers have come out with this game with a total of 8.5. For the best odds right now you can get over the total at -110 at Heritage Sports. At most sportsbooks this game is around -115 so get the best odds that you can. With the warm weather, and two good hitting teams, this game could get ugly really quickly.

Pitchers
I have been a big proponent this year of Andrew Cashner but he is not been sharp this whole season. He comes in with a 4.24 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. In his last 21 innings pitched he is given up 19 runs off of 30 hits. I just don't know what the problem is with him this year, but teams are getting to him. Batters are also hitting a solid .284 against him this season. For the Diamondbacks Jeremy Hellickson comes in with a 5.10 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. He is coming off a pretty good start against the Angels where he allowed only two earned runs in six innings. His biggest issue has been with home runs and in his last 10 starts eight of those times he has given up at least one home run. In fact, he is given up four home runs in his last 15 innings pitched. Also, Hellickson does not go deep into ballgames and is simply consistent in giving up runs.

Offenses
Arizona ranks third in the league in runs scored per game and San Diego 15th. The Diamondbacks have consistently been one of the better hitting teams this season and rank in the top half of the league usually in the top 10 in most offensive categories. They also ranked third in hits per game and six in total bases per game. The Padres rank in the middle of the league to the bottom half of the league in most offensive categories, and they have been struggling in their last 10 games. Still, they have enough guys in the lineup to do some damage against Hellickson, and most of their offensive stats go up on the road.